There are many reasons why the Premier League attracts the biggest audiences around the world and earns the biggest commercial and television deals. One is the unpredictability of the English top flight, with the Premier League not dominated by just one or two huge clubs to the same extent as La Liga, the Bundesliga or Ligue 1. Somewhat relatedly, is the way any team can beat any other, with even the minnows capable of causing an upset in their day.
Some of the explanation is a virtuous circle, with more money allowing for clubs to buy better players, which in turn attracts bigger TV audiences and more money. And so it goes on. Other reasons are cultural, while others are down to good timing and luck. But it is also clear that the Premier League’s consistent ability to produce thrilling football matches is a major part of its mass appeal.
There are some incredible rivalries in the EPL, some historic, some local derbies, and others more modern phenomena. These fixtures always have a little extra spice and frequently deliver iconic moments, such as Wayne Rooney’s stunning overhead kick for Manchester United against Manchester City. However, if you asked a group of real Premier League aficionados to name a fixture that has produced a number of the greatest games in the history of the competition, the chances are a good proportion of them would plump for Liverpool versus Newcastle.
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These two teams met most recently on Monday the 25th of August at St James’ Park, and it didn’t disappoint. Due to the ongoing Alexander Isak saga, the atmosphere was electric and hostile. In the opening exchanges, every positive action for Newcastle was met with a roar befitting of a goal, whilst Liverpool were roundly jeered.
The crowd clearly lifted the Magpies, and they were superb for the entire game really. Tackles were flying in, with Liverpool repeatedly punished for infringements as they tried to hold back Eddie Howe’s men. Against the run of play, Liverpool did what champions do and scored. Newcastle had been easily the better side, but Arne Slot’s men took the lead with their second shot of the match, a fine effort from range from Ryan Gravenberch.
That was after 35 minutes, but things soon got much worse for the hosts. Anthony Gordon made a foolish, rash challenge on Virgil van Dijk, just before half time. The ref gave a yellow but VAR sent him to the monitors, and he upgraded it to a red.
The home fans must have been hoping for a miraculous fightback in the second half but within seconds of the restart, their side were 2-0 down. Hugo Etikite finished calmly from the edge of the box, and it seemed like the match was over as a contest.
However, incredibly, Newcastle fought back, making a mockery of their numerical disadvantage. After 57 minutes, the brilliant, tireless Bruno Guimaraes got one back to give the Geordies hope. They continued to press for an equaliser and probably looked the more dangerous team, though Liverpool dominated the ball.
With just two minutes left, young Danish sub William Osula appeared to have earned them a point. He beat Alisson from close range to make it 2-2, and when the fourth official indicated 11 minutes of added time, many home supporters would have been daring to dream about a winner.
There was a winner, but it went the way of the away team. With just seconds remaining, Liverpool broke forward and a cross from Mo Salah was brilliantly dummied by Dominik Szoboszlai, leaving the 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha with an easy finish. He coolly slotted home first time to break Newcastle hearts but send the away support into delirium.
Painful and unfair as the 3-2 final score was for the home side, it was a fitting end for a pulsating game. Slot bemoaned a lack of football in the game, and it is true that the ball was in play for a relatively short amount of time, and when it was, there was little in the way of slick passing. But this was a blood and thunder English classic, and Newcastle’s effort with 10 men was incredible. Alas, as they have tended to in this fixture, they took nothing from the game, though.
Other Classic Encounters
As said, this is not the first time these two have delivered a feast for neutrals. Here we take a look at some of the other great games the Magpies and the Reds have given us. And there can only be one place to start!
Liverpool 4-3 Newcastle, 3rd of April 1996
This clash is routinely listed among the best PL games of all time and rightly so. It was a big game in the title race, which Newcastle would eventually lose to Man United, but it was a true classic in its own right.
If the most recent clash was short on true quality, this was very much the opposite, with both teams producing magical football. It was a ding-dong battle, eventually settled in the final minute by a lovely goal from Stan Collymore. He got two, with Robbie Fowler also bagging a brace. Newcastle equalised after nine minutes through Les Ferdinand, took the lead five minutes later through David Ginola, and went 3-2 up after 57 minutes with a lovely finish from Tino Asprilla. Once again, Geordie hearts would be shattered, this time a late Collymore brace doing the damage.
Liverpool 4-3 Newcastle, 10th of March 1997
Less than 12 months after their 4-3 thriller at Anfield, these two produced … another 4-3 thriller at Anfield. The play was not at the same level as the earlier clash, and the stakes were not quite as high, but even so, this was a scintillating game of football.
There was another double for Fowler, plus goals from Steve McManaman and Patrik Berger. Liverpool were 3-0 up at the break, but David James let the away side back into the game. He made a couple of errors and Keith Gillespie, then Asprilla cashed in. On 87 minutes, defender Warren Barton made it 3-3. But Liverpool, once again, had the last laugh, with Fowler giving his side the points thanks to a winner in the 90th minute!
There have been several other memorable meetings between the two. In the Premier League era alone, we have seen Liverpool win 5-1 at St James’, Newcastle record a 3-0 home win playing great football, and also lose 6-0 at home! Before that, we saw a 6-5 win for Liverpool in 1909, when they came from 5-2 down, plus several other great games. Be sure to tune into the return fixture this term at the end of January next year!